Rudy
Movie, 1993, The '90s, Set in Notre Dame football
Rudy is #11 of 35 in release order and #11 of 35 in chronological order in the Sports Movies.
The story
Rudy grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit of 5 people and has set his sights upon joining the team.
Rudy recap
Rudy (1993) follows Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, a Joliet steelworker's son, too small and too poor a student for Notre Dame, who wants to play football there. David Anspaugh directs this football biopic, written by Angelo Pizzo, the pair behind Hoosiers. Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) works in the steel mill after high school until his best friend Pete dies in an explosion. In 1972 he goes to South Bend, enrols at nearby Holy Cross College with help from a priest, and sleeps in the stadium office thanks to groundskeeper Fortune (Charles S. Dutton). The tutor D-Bob (Jon Favreau) finds that Rudy has dyslexia. After several rejections he is admitted to Notre Dame and makes the practice squad as a walk-on, taking hits from the scholarship players every day. Coach Ara Parseghian promises he will suit up for one home game, then retires, and his successor Dan Devine refuses. In this list Rudy comes between Cool Runnings and The Sandlot.
Rudy ending explained
Rudy ends with Rudy sacking the Georgia Tech quarterback on the final play of his last home game and being carried off the field. He quits after being left off the dress list, but Fortune, who once quit the team himself, talks him into returning. The seniors lay their jerseys on Devine's desk until he lets Rudy dress. With the crowd chanting his name, the offence scores so he can go in on the kickoff. Closing text says no Notre Dame player had been carried off since, and that Rudy graduated in 1976.
Post-credits scenes
No. Rudy has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Rudy
Rudy is streaming on TNT, TBS, and tru TV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 80%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Cool Runnings, before The Sandlot.
- Chronological order: after Cool Runnings, before The Sandlot.
Cast
- Sean Astin as Daniel E. 'Rudy' Ruettiger
- Jon Favreau as D-Bob
- Ned Beatty as Daniel Ruettiger
- Lili Taylor as Sherry
- Charles S. Dutton as Fortune
- Vince Vaughn as Jamie O'Hara
- Greta Lind as Mary
- Christopher Reed as Pete
- Deborah Wittenberg as Young Sherry
- Kevin Duda as 9-Year-Old Bernie
- Amy Pietz as Melinda
- Scott Benjaminson as Frank Ruettiger
Directed by David Anspaugh.